£35k in Edinburgh vs. €50k in Freising

hi..I am en Electronics Engineer and currently looking for better opportunities. At the moment I have 2 job offers, one is in edinburgh for 35000 GBP p.a. and one is in freising for 50000 euros p.a. I hope some of you can give me insights on which is the better deal. Also to consider is the cost of living, tax deduction, opportunities for my wife and son. :rolleyes:

35000 GBP approx. 49000 Euros, I believe tax in Germany is a lot higher than in the UK, but as far as I know renting a flat is cheaper here. Buying a property however is cheaper in the UK, depending on what you want it might be cheaper over there.

I've done that exact move.

It depends on your own personal priorities. In Straight cash terms you are likely to be worse off. Living in a different culture is extra ordinarily hard on wife and kids. If they can't speak German and aren't completely bought into the idea of living here think long and hard about the decision.

Where are you living now? What are your wife's qualifications, is she currently working, does she speak German? How old is your son - school age or younger? As Pas mentioned (and the way I'm looking at it, too), their situation is a big part of the equation.

I'd say go for Edinburgh!

Short term, Edinburgh sounds like the better offer although long term the fact that you have experience of being here should be something very positive for your career. Is it TI by any chance?

Let me put this a bit stronger. If you are moving culture the probability of divorce or having to move back because of the family is extremely high.

Both are fantastic cities in their own way. A large part of my heart is still in Edinburgh but Munich and the alps are better if you're an outdoor type.

Only you can decide where your life priorities are and what your family position is.

For obvious reasons I couldnt resist to post in this thread.

Let me guess - Texas Instruments?
I cant foretell how you and your family will deal with the bavarian mentality and the german language, but Freising is definetly a good place to live. Not as crowded as Munich, not as boring as most villages, only half an hour away from Munich if you want big city life, good outdoor recreation possibilities, lowest unemployment rate in germany... A webcam: http://www.freising.de/_webcam/

On the bad side, rents are relatively high, compared to the surrounding rural area. For example at the moment (not for very much longer) I am paying 600€ not including side costs and parking space for an appartement of 48 sqm in the best possible location.

If you have any specific questions on the town, I´d be glad to help. (Although it might take a while, as I am right in the middle of preparing to move.)

THank you very much for all the inputs. Really very helpful.

The UK is toast. Get out while you can. With Gordon Brown at the helm move while you can.

I think you'd probably pay around the same, if not more, for such a flat right in the middle of Edinburgh..

If it wasn't for wife and son I'd say Freising hands down.
But as mentioned above they are the largest part of the equation.

If they want to try it out, and especially if the son is still fairly young, I'd say Germany is by far the better option. As I said, if the kid is young, he'll pick up German really quickly, and knowing a second language is a great skill to have. If he's young, and you go to Edinburgh, he might pick up a Scottish accent. You ask yourself what the better option is, one scenario with 2 understandable languages, or another with basically 0 understandable languages.

bit of an exaggeration

The risk of divorce in general is about 50% these days anyway

Weihenstephan ... Journey to the origin of beer

http://www.brauerei-weihenstephan.de/index...e=home_2_1&

ha! good one there! i'm a native english speaker and i can't even understand a word those scots utter!

I like Freising a lot, but this nonsense about Weihenstephan is a load of old tosh. It may be the oldest brewery in the world , but that doesn't mean it was the first, which is what they imply in their adverts. Beer has been around a lot longer than Weihenstephan has.

... Welcome to the oldest brewery in the world - virtually of course! ...

http://www.brauerei-weihenstephan.de/index...e=home_2_1&

History of beer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_beer

What is your point here, or did you just feel the urge to post yet another random link?

Ok...so I know you have the money to consider...but if it's a toss up betweent the two citied I'd pick Edinbugh any time! My favourite city by far

Don't get me wrong, munich is a great city...but Edinburgh is just so much better. It's friendlier, easier to get around, english speaking and it's just a brilliant place to live. Rent is more expensive in Edinburgh, but only if you live right in the centre.

Edinburgh!!

Easier to get around? I can't imagine any city being easier to get around than Munich. I'm pretty sure the last time I was in Edinburgh, the only public transport was by bus, and I didn't see many bike lanes.

And the OP was asking about Freising not Munich.

Fair point.. had forgotten about that..

Wasn't aiming at you, but rather at JustAnotherName's suspiciously enthusiastic post in favour of Edinburgh.